"Kara Eastman's grassroots victory in this spring's primary not only inspired progressives in Nebraska and throughout the country, it ensured that the voters of Omaha have a pragmatic problem-solver in the race for Congress who is committed to fighting for big, bold inclusive populist ideas that put people first.

"Whether she was fighting to protect the health of Nebraskan children at the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance or working to strengthen non-discrimination protections as Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Community College's Board of Governors, Kara Eastman has stood up and fought to deliver progressive change while welcoming every member of the community to a seat at the table.

"Democracy for America members are excited to endorse Kara Eastman in her race for Congress because we know she's dedicated to waging a battle for Congress rooted in Nebraska's progressive values while fighting for Medicare for All, common-sense gun reform, racial justice, and a $15 an hour minimum wage." -- Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

DFA has 5,140 members in the state of Nebraska and more than one million members nationwide.

As a part of its work in the 2018 election cycle, DFA intends to raise and spend more than $12 million in support of progressive candidates, make more than 2 million voter contacts, and support more than 250 candidates nationwide -- like Kara Eastman -- in running inclusive populist campaigns committed to turning out the New American Majority of people of color and progressive white voters in November.

Kara Eastman on receiving DFA's endorsement in her race for Congress:

"I am proud to have the support of Democracy for America. This organization truly understands the importance of getting money out of politics and empowering grassroots movements. I refuse to accept corporate PAC money because I believe that people are more important than money. I am looking forward to representing Nebraska's families instead of corporations and special interests." -- Kara Eastman

Kara Eastman is the President and CEO of Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance, Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors for Metropolitan Community College, a mother, and a champion for community change. At the Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance, Eastman has raised over $13 million to help support green, safe, and healthy housing in her community, while at Metropolitan Community College she's worked to strengthen non-discrimination policies and helped develop contractor training programs that have created jobs in and around Omaha. A life-long Democrat, in Congress, Eastman is committed to fearlessly taking on the powerful interests who dominate our politics and lead the fight for an inclusive, populist progressive response to the challenges posed by healthcare, education, and climate change.

Democracy for America is a member-driven, people-powered progressive PAC with more than one million members nationwide committed to taking on income inequality, money in politics, and structural racism. Since its 2004 founding, DFA members have raised and contributed more than $54 million and made more than 21.9 million volunteer calls to help successfully elect 917 progressive candidates nationwide.

That episode and others offered clues to how Ocasio-Cortez and her social media practices fit into a national legislature that’s slowly becoming younger, less male and more diverse. The approach Ocasio-Cortez is modeling — and the political world is studying — gives her a measure of control by communicating directly with constituents and responding to critics in close to real time.

“She knows how to navigate this space in a way that others don’t,” said Yvette Simpson, incoming CEO of Democracy for America, a progressive political action committee. Also, Simpson pointed out, “She’s not accountable to that power structure” in Congress. “She’s accountable to the group that put her there.”